Myriad Rivers to the Sea

Chapter 936: Family Foundation

The Heaven Severing Ancestor gave a sharp nod of approval toward Li Yu as he turned his body and stepped directly into the spatial void. Zhan left the cavern right away without speaking a single word.Li Yu looked up toward the high ridge. His grandfather, his father and his mother descended to the cavern floor to meet him. Li Yu immediately offered them a deep and respectful bow.

"I apologize for the commotion." Li Yu said. "I did not mean to ruin the session for the others. We can use the remaining resources from my golden box to repay the other ten disciples."

The adults exchanged warm glances with one another. They were happy to see his strong character. He had achieved power but he still cared about fairness.

"Keep your resources." Canghai smiled. "We can handle the compensation easily."

Patriarch Muchen stepped forward from the entrance of the cavern.

"Your father is correct." Muchen agreed. "The clan has vast reserves for situations like this. I will take my leave now and give your family some privacy."

The Patriarch offered a polite nod to them and departed. He left the family alone in the quiet cavern. Zhan Tian crossed his arms over his chest.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough. However, it is time we review your cultivation." Tian announced loudly. "We have spent these past few weeks getting to know one another again and enjoying our time together. But now it is time for us to understand your path so we can help you further."

Li Yu agreed with the sentiment completely. They left the broken cavern and walked through the bamboo forests. They headed directly to the private courtyard of Li Canghai. The evening sky was calm and the air was peaceful. They sat around a large stone table in the center of the courtyard and Li Yu began to explain.

"My primary Qi cultivation is the Myriad Rivers Returning to the Sea Art." Li Yu told them. "I received it directly from my Koi martial spirit."

Tielan and Canghai looked at each other in surprise.

"We had actually given Khaos two cultivation techniques from our clans to pass down to you when the time was right." Tielan revealed. "It looks like Khaos determined that your current technique suited you best already."

"It is not normal to receive actual techniques from a martial spirit." Canghai noted. "However, it is not completely unheard of for variants to carry ancestral knowledge either."

The conversation shifted naturally toward their own foundations. The adults decided to show Li Yu their martial spirits so he could understand their paths as well.

Tielan stood up from her stone chair first. She channeled her Qi and the air grew incredibly heavy. A terrifying projection manifested behind her back. It was a massive female demon with ten thick arms. It radiated an aura of physical violence.

"This is the Ten Armed Demonic Asura." Tielan explained. "It complements my heavy combat style on the front lines."

Canghai stood up next. A sharp hum filled the courtyard as two elegant swords materialized behind his shoulders. They gleamed with a cold and precise light.

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"My martial spirit is a set of twin swords." Canghai smiled. "It is pretty rare for a martial spirit to manifest like this."

Zhan Tian stepped into the center of the courtyard. The physical space instantly warped and cracked under his pressure. A colossal dragon tore through the void behind him. It wore a crown of shattered space upon its head. It exuded royal authority and destruction.

"The Crowned Emperor Dragon." Tian boasted proudly. The parents and grandfather went on to explain a bit about how a martial spirit helps a person’s cultivation or how it can be used in combat. However, it was also a double edged sword, much like a soul.

Bringing out the martial spirit for combat gives you an additional card that can be played but at the same time it also opens up vulnerabilities to be exploited. Destroying the manifestation of the martial spirit while it was used in combat can daze a cultivator or slightly stun them, much like using a soul.

That also each martial spirit was a cultivator's secret since most had secret techniques or abilities. That those secrets should be kept and never shared to outsiders. Li Yu listened and was internalizing all of the information. Some he already figured out or knew while others gave him ideas for how to exploit his opponents.

Li Yu then summoned his Koi martial spirit. He then opened his soul space and projected his nascent souls into the courtyard for his family to finally take a look at.

The Fisherman appeared first with his bamboo pole. The Whale manifested next with its crushing weight, actually coming out when requested. The Koi soul swam playfully through the air. Muddy emerged from the ground with unyielding defense. Finally his Human soul stepped forward and glowed with a pure light.

The family stared at the five souls in amazement as even at their level, they had never known of another to have a full five Nascent Soul. They had seen glimpses of his souls before but the full display standing directly in front of them was staggering.

Zhan Tian chuckled and channeled his own energy. A bright light flashed and a figure appeared beside him. It looked exactly like Zhan Tian.

"I am the only one in our immediate family here who also possesses a Nascent Soul." Tian explained. "My soul is stronger than most in the Zhan lineage but there are a few within our clan that have a Nascent Soul as well. It is partly some of the reason I was able to travel as far as I did on the River of Souls."

Li Yu retracted his souls and they vanished back into his mind while he sat back down at the stone table. The family discussed the soul for a while more before stopping. However, since both lineages didn’t specialize in the soul as much, they didn’t have as much wisdom to impart as before.

"There is one more thing." Li Yu said quietly. "My martial spirit has an inner world and I have an inner world as well."

The courtyard went silent with this news as well. The three adults froze and stared at him in disbelief. He raised his hand and opened a small spatial tear above the table. It revealed a vast and developing personal dimension where his trees were planted. Tielan gasped softly and covered her mouth. Canghai gripped the edge of the stone table tightly while Tian was deep in thought.

"That is five realms ahead of you." Canghai said with a strained voice. "Cultivators do not form an inner world until the Creation Lord realm."

Li Yu explained that he got it a long time ago. He did not know how impossible it was supposed to be during his journey. Canghai and Tielan exchanged a knowing look with this information. They could only guess the truth of the matter.

"Khaos probably had a hand in that." Tielan said. "We do not know what he did but it was to your benefit to get one early."

"I have to thank that little crab the next time I see him." Tian laughed loudly. The shock faded and was replaced by joy. The family realized Li Yu possessed a foundation that would rival anyone and they felt a deep sense of pride.

"You should visit the Li library." Canghai suggested. "See if any techniques call to you. You can do the same with the Zhan library later as well."

"We will also take turns to start and guide you on your cultivation path. I remember you were wanting to take us as masters, we accept now." Tielan smiled warmly. Li Yu gave a bright smile back to his mom as well.

The night deepened over the courtyard as they continued to talk. For the first time in his cultivation life, Li Yu felt completely anchored. He was exactly where he belonged and wanted to be.